§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 22 May 2003,Official Report, column 893W, on laying hens, whether all Defra-funded research into enriched cages conforms to the EU minimum height of 45cm. [117664]
§ Mr. MorleyOne of the objectives of this research is to evaluate the effect of cage height on bird behaviour, welfare and performance in commercially available furnished cages. The research looks at the effects of cage height on birds kept in furnished cages—with heights set at 38cm and 45cm. This research will help in informing our position on the welfare benefits of furnished or enriched cages.